Denzel Washington found Flight booze ban easy

Directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Denzel Washington and Kelly Reilly. An investigation of a pilot's emergency landing saving every soul on-board, leads to a troubling discovery after his new-found fame as a hero which could land him with life in prison.

Denzel Washington didn't feel the need to drink to get into character for 'Flight'.

The 58-year-old actor - who has been nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for his stellar performance in Robert Zemeckis' harrowing drama - avoided method acting by deliberately shunning alcohol for his role as pilot Whip Whitaker, who is branded a hero after landing a faulty plane despite his drug and booze binge in the hours before he took to the skies.

Speaking at the UK premiere of 'Flight' in London's Leceister Square on Thursday night (17.01.13), Denzel told BANG Showbiz: ''He's a pilot, a great pilot and a great drinker. I just got drunk every night! Ha, of course not. I did the opposite.

''I don't worry about [moral] messages, I just try and play the part. You don't have to kill anybody to play a murderer. I don't drink on most films, so it wasn't any different.''

The easiest part about getting into character as the flawed hero with a penchant cocaine was indulging in calorific late night snacks since Denzel wanted his alter ego to look out of shape.

He explained: ''That's the easy one, eat late. I didn't overeat, just eat late, no exercise.''

The two-time Academy Award-winner loved teaming up with 'Forrest Gump' helmer Rob Zemeckis and believes the director's first live action film in 12 years makes for spectacular viewing thanks to its gripping crash scene and special airplane stunt effects.

Denzel said: ''It was enjoyable working with Rob Zemeckis; great director, excellent script, great actors to work with. I had to practice on an actual flight simulator from Delta airline that the pilots actually practice on and sit in an actual cockpit.''

Asked what his favourite moment of the experience was, he said: ''Seeing the film actually, when I saw the actual crash sequence, we didn't have all that. We were just sitting there going like this [wobbles], but Rob put together a great film.''

Denzel's co-star Kelly Riley and director Rob Zemeckis joined him on the red carpet.